Christmas lights on balcony?

[clopaw]

On our past cruises around Christmas, I have notice some people putting Christmas lights on their balconies. I have been thinking about trying this. We will be on the Rotterdam. Does any one remember if the balcony has the kind of railing that I could wrap a string of lights around?

[kruzkeen]

This topic was discussed a while back. You might want to refer to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86302&highlight=christmas+lights

[Esme]

Was this on a HAL ship that you saw the Christmas lights, because I believe from a similar thread some time ago, the consensus was that it was not allowed, but I can't remember the reason why.

[Roadwork]

It might have something to do with maritime laws and colored light. This might be the thread that you are referring to.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86302&highlight=christmas+lights

[Krazy Kruizers]

There was a thread a couple of months ago about lights on the balconies - not recommended.

Ships are allowed to display their clear lights when they are so many miles from a port. You won't see a ship way, way out in the ocean having those bow to stern lights.

There are maritime laws concerning this.

Why not just have a small, lighted Christmas tree in your cabin?

[bookworm0911]

There was a thread a couple of months ago about lights on the balconies - not recommended.

.....There are maritime laws concerning this.

I think that's the thread Roadwork just linked before you posted.

[kryos]

It might have something to do with maritime laws and colored light. This might be the thread that you are referring to.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=86302&highlight=christmas+lights
I think the color of the lights means something in maritime parlance. The same with the flags you see on deck. I believe each of those flags ... the design on them ... convey a maritime message. Someday when I have the time, I've gotta do some research on that. Wouldn't it be a hoot if the flags spelled out something like "neener, neener, betcha wish you were here, huh?" :o)

Blue skies!

--rita

[Krazy Kruizers]

The flags that are flown in each port are those of that port's country.

[cruzincurt]

In Jamaica we flew the Norway flag off the stern.

[Leslieswiger]

HAL has two sizes of Christmas trees for your cabin. I believe one is 17" and the other is 24" complete with decorations. Price was (I believe) $49.00USD, Happy Sailings...Leslie Swiger:)

[sail7seas]

In Jamaica we flew the Norway flag off the stern.:) Are you really, really sure that was the flag of Norway? Seems someone did a big "OOOOPS" if it was. :eek:

[Little Feet]

Please explain more about the HAL holiday trees! I am on a B to B in 2 weeks....I had no idea HA would provide a tree! I was going to bring a tiny tree myself. I also am one that inquired about verandah lights a few months ago.

[Esme]

Please explain more about the HAL holiday trees! I am on a B to B in 2 weeks....I had no idea HA would provide a tree! I was going to bring a tiny tree myself. I also am one that inquired about verandah lights a few months ago.

I may be reading your post incorrectly, but HAL does not provide a tree - if you want one you will have to pay for it by ordering it from Ship's Services. Leslie Swiger has posted the prices.

[Leslieswiger]

Hello Little Feet! You will want Customer Relations and ask for Ms. Rose Abello or Tiffany Bergman (Supervisor of Customer Relations) e-mailCustomer_Relations@HollandAmerica.com My tree was 24" fully decorated and I believe it was $49.00USD. Sure hope this is of help. If not try me at my e-mail leslieswiger@hotmail.com and I will see if I can find more. Happy Sailings..Leslie Swiger:)

[lknick]

In Jamaica we flew the Norway flag off the stern.Only if you were on NCL which is flagged in Norway.

[shipcafe]

Hello Little Feet! You will want Customer Relations and ask for Ms. Rose Abello or Tiffany Bergman (Supervisor of Customer Relations) e-mailCustomer_Relations@HollandAmerica.com My tree was 24" fully decorated and I believe it was $49.00USD. Sure hope this is of help. If not try me at my e-mail leslieswiger@hotmail.com and I will see if I can find more. Happy Sailings..Leslie Swiger:)

Per press releases, etc. Rose Abello is actually a Vice President. I don't believe she would be the one to respond to this type of item. Tiffany would most likely empower other staff to respond to this as well. Ship services is probably the way to go via : 800-541-1576

[shipcafe]

In Jamaica we flew the Norway flag off the stern.

The flag from the stern of the ship is in regard to the ship's registry. The flag flown from the mast is that of the country being visited. If the flag that you saw on the stern of the ship was Norwegian then it was probably a Royal Caribbean ship as no ships of HAL or CCL are Norwegian-registered. From my knowlege, none of the NCL ships are Norwegian-registered.

Steve

[clopaw]

I apologize for not researching the Christmas light issue before I asked. I check the boards pretty frequently, but I missed the prior discussion.

Our previous Christmas cruises were on Celebrity and Princess, and I believe that I remember balcony lights on both. Having seen Carnival ships in particular lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree, it would not have occurred to me that a string of twinkle lights would be a problem.

I'll be checking out the HAL christmas tree option. Does it collapse it any way so that it can be taken home after the cruise?

[kryos]

The flag from the stern of the ship is in regard to the ship's registry. The flag flown from the mast is that of the country being visited. If the flag that you saw on the stern of the ship was Norwegian then it was probably a Royal Caribbean ship as no ships of HAL or CCL are Norwegian-registered. From my knowlege, none of the NCL ships are Norwegian-registered.

There is a string of flags ... different colors and designs ... that go across the ship ... what are those? I thought each flag meant something ... like a seafarers' code?

LOL ... oh, boy ... I'm really showing my ignorance on this thread. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[cactuslady]

The flags that go from bow to stern as decoration in port are alphabet flags. Each one represents a letter of the alphabet. At sea, they are strung together to spell out messages. Individual flags also have meanings of their own. For instance, there is a flag that means "this ship is being quarantined."

Maritime safety rules are that a ship displays a green light near the bow on the starboard (right) side, and a red light on the port (left) side. (Remember that port wine is red.) The stern displays a white light. Since ships have no headlights, this is how other ships and boats can tell which direction the ship is going at night. There is a "code" for other lights, which may indicate that a barge is being towed, etc. Even though Christmas lights may be tiny, when it is dark out a little light goes a long way, and I suppose they may cause confusion, especially with the usual red and green theme.

Another reason for avoiding outdoor lights on a ship is that the salt air and spray environment is very corrosive. Any electrical item, unless it is specifically made for that extreme environment, is likely to short out. If you do put any Christmas lights out on board (which I do not recommend), at least do not plan on using them again.

[cruzincurt]

Yes, I was incorrect. The flag flying on the stern of the HAL Veendam while docked in Jamaica last week was the NETHERLANDS flag.

Now I know that's a fact because I just looked the flag up in the encyclopedia. My wife, standing behind me, confirms what we say.

[Grumpy1]

Maritime safety rules are that a ship displays a green light near the bow on the starboard (right) side, and a red light on the port (left) side. (Remember that port wine is red.) The stern displays a white light. Since ships have no headlights, this is how other ships and boats can tell which direction the ship is going at night.
The red and green lights are also used to mark harbor entrances and channel bouys. Can you imagine someone with all green lights on their verandah and someone else with all red a few doors down?

" It was a dark and stormy night. The fog was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The captain peered into the night looking for the lighted bouys that would keep him safely in the channel. Suddenly he spotted them off the starboard bow. Correcting course to pass safely between them......"

[tomc]

AFAIK, the white light is at the topmost part of the ship and is known as a "range light," which is visible from all points of the compass.

It would be fun for the in-the-know crew to actually post messages to other ships with those flags. Stuff the pax would never know. "Pax are losers this week," would be one. "HAL serves Metamucil" is another. It's like the morse code you sometimes hear on tv and in movies; sometimes it's stuff we morse ops get a real kick (and laugh) out of.

[Little Feet]

I would like more info on the tree....anyone had one? How was it decorated? Did it have lights?

[kryos]

The flags that go from bow to stern as decoration in port are alphabet flags. Each one represents a letter of the alphabet. At sea, they are strung together to spell out messages. Individual flags also have meanings of their own. For instance, there is a flag that means "this ship is being quarantined."

Thank you! Those are exactly the flags I was talking about. I figured they denoted some sort of code ... and weren't just "decorative."

Now I just gotta figure out how to spell "neener ... neener" with them. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[sandydownunder]

Someone could make a movie like "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation." Can just see someone trying to put lights on their balcony and blacking out the whole "dam" ship.

[clopaw]

I have done a search on the whole board, and I have found threads on both Princess and Celebrity about having lights on the balcony where no one seemed to think it was a problem. I will of course abide by the HAL rules; I just wanted to prove to myself that I hadn't imagined it!

[tomc]

Someone could make a movie like "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation." Can just see someone trying to put lights on their balcony and blacking out the whole "dam" ship. Or the crew setting out flags randomly and not knowing they accidentally spelled, "We have been hijacked by terrorists from AARP"?

[Grumpy1]

The post where someone said that they had been ordered by a ship's officer to remove the lights is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=67589&highlight=lights

post #8. that was on a Carnival thread and we all know that carnival bought HAL last week or something like that and is making lots of changes......

Grumpy

[Esme]

The post where someone said that they had been ordered by a ship's officer to remove the lights is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=67589&highlight=lights

post #8. that was on a Carnival thread and we all know that carnival bought HAL last week or something like that and is making lots of changes......

Grumpy

:D - Grumpy - Carnival bought HAL way back in 1988. :D

[Grumpy1]

:D - Grumpy - Carnival bought HAL way back in 1988. :D
:confused: NAW! That can't be right. I distinctly remember reading on these boards that it was real recent... and we know these boards are the place for absolutely accurate information....:D

[tomc]

I thought Carnival bought K-Mart.

[WindyCity]

HAL has two sizes of Christmas trees for your cabin. I believe one is 17" and the other is 24" complete with decorations. Price was (I believe) $49.00USD, Happy Sailings...Leslie Swiger:)
Unfortunately, these can only be ordered for the Holiday sailings - not for those going the week before! :(

[cactuslady]

Thank you! Those are exactly the flags I was talking about. I figured they denoted some sort of code ... and weren't just "decorative."

Now I just gotta figure out how to spell "neener ... neener" with them. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita
You can head to your local library and pick up a copy of Chapman Piloting: Seamanship and Small Boat Handling. As I recall, it has pictures of all the flags and tells what they mean. Explains all the lights, also, and a whole bunch more seagoing information you may or may not want to know.

[Grumpy1]

check here

http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/sigflgs.html

Grumpy

[bonnyweed]

I'm just imagining all the hilarity that could happen if people were to "let loose" with their holiday decorating fantasies. I envision a ship sailing past with passengers trying to outdo each other in the holiday decorating department. Balconies with live nativity scenes....others with those illuminated moving reindeer, santas, multi-colored lights. For me, I like the simple outline of the ship with its own navigational lights.....but anyone else can go for it.